Saying thanks to those who have helped

Wildlife professionals in various agencies have willingly contributed to wildlife education at Louisiana Tech University.

I conducted wildlife research for most of my career. I had a chance to retire and come to Louisiana Tech as a professor to teach what has been my passion in life - wildlife. In doing that, I called on a lot of help, and the response has been really impressive.

Wildlife biologists in the northeastern Louisiana area have been very helpful and very professional. I have asked repeatedly for their expertise, and they have responded wholeheartedly, without hesitation. I wanted to take an opportunity with this article and say thanks to those capable and willing in this area who have helped me educate forestry and wildlife students in practical aspects of wildlife management.

They have provided practical and timely information based on years or decades of experience. And there's no substitute for that - Apple devices, computers and all.

Here are some of the areas where regional biologists have helped:

? Techniques in resolving wildlife problems - including hogs, pigeons and beaver control, what deer eat and how to evaluate that in a browse survey, how to evaluate fox squirrel habitat with a quantitative suitability index.

? Moist soil management - what natural foods ducks eat and how to manage for those waterfowl food plants.

? Green tree reservoir management -what trees are best and how to keep them alive.